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- Can the person cough?Encourage them to cough hard. Coughing effectively? Let them continue and stay with them.
- No longer coughing effectively → up to 5 back blowsHave someone call 112 (speaker on). Lean the person forward and give up to 5 firm blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Check after each blow whether the object has come out.
- Up to 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich)Stand behind the person, fist between navel and breastbone, and pull sharply inwards and upwards. Pregnant or very obese? Give chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.
- Alternate 5-5 until it's outRepeat back blows and abdominal thrusts until the object comes out or the person becomes unconscious.
- If unconscious → CPRLower the person to the ground, make sure 112 has been called and start CPR. Only remove objects you can see in the mouth; don't sweep blindly with your finger.
- After abdominal thrusts always see a doctorEven if they seem fine — there may be internal injury.
Checked in October 2026 against the guidelines of the Red Cross, the Dutch Resuscitation Council (2025), the European Resuscitation Council, the Dutch public health institute RIVM and the NHS. This does not replace a first-aid course. If a life is in danger: call 112 straight away.
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